Friday, September 26, 2008 Guard shot, fires back: 2 men dead
TWO men were killed in a shootout at Camella Homes, a hilly subdivision in Talisay City at past 7 p.m. yesterday.
P02 Reynaldo Azarcon of the Talisay City Police Station identified the victims as Reynaldo Bantilan, also known as Abdul Faizal, 26, the subdivision’s security guard; and Armando Horandoy, 31, of Lower Maghaway, Talisay City.
They both died while being treated at the Talisay City District Hospital in Barangay San Isidro.
Hospital guard Teofilo Dignos said Bantilan died from gunshot wounds in his right upper chest, left leg and left side of his body. Horandoy also succumbed to bullet wounds in the lower part of his stomach and right armpit.
Police picked up motorcycle-for-hire driver Steve Echavez, 19, also of Barangay Maghaway. He was believed to be Horandoy’s cohort.
Echavez also had bruises in his left foot and ankle.
Azarcon said a certain Antonio Singson recovered Echavez’s motorcycle.
Lawmen are still looking for the third suspect, who was reportedly wounded in the stomach. They also could not say whether the motive of the shooting was a personal grudge or work-related.
Initial investigation showed that Horandoy reportedly shot Bantilan, who was guarding the subdivision’s exit. Camella Homes is imposing a one entry, one exit policy as part of its crime prevention program. The policy also prevents motorcycles-for-hire without stickers from entering the subdivision premises.
Although wounded, Bantilan managed to fire back, fatally hitting Horandoy twice.
Horandoy and the third suspect were reportedly back-riding on Echavez’s motorcycle. Echavez reportedly tried to flee but the motorcycle crashed. The suspects eventually got intercepted by responding policemen.
Last night’s shooting was the first bloody incident since the subdivision imposed the one entrance, one exit policy last month. (GC)
